Today I'm going to teach you how to make fermented feed, and even more, why to make it! So lets get started.
5 reasons to make Fermented Feed:
1. Chickens Love it!
2.Chickens Don't scratch in it=0.1% waste!
3.Fermenting Feed Stretches the Feed=Lower Feed costs!
4.Fermenting makes the feed more nutritional!
5.Fermenting is easier then it sounds!
So try this at home!
Health Benefits of Fermented Feed:
To sum it up, fermented chicken feed is probiotics! Just not for you!
It contains beneficial bacteria and yeasts such as:
Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc & Pediococcus
I've heard it can even make your chickens lay bigger eggs! (Have not tested that!)
Oh, and after a few days of eating it they'll eat less because all the nutrients they've been getting!
Have I convinced you? Good! Because I'm starting now!
Supplies Needed:
~Container for your fermented feed
No metal! Lead Free Ceramic is OK, Plastic is OK and Glass is OK. No-no on metal.
Oh, and it'll need a lid. My container:
It's a plastic dog food container, but we didn't use it! I put it right into my chicken coop! It's okay if the lid doesn't seal completly, as long as it's pretty good. Acutally, it it seals too good you'll want to leave it cracked to let out gasses..But we are not too that part yet!
~Spoon Of some type
wooden or plastic works best, metal is okay as long as you don't leave it in the container.\
~Chicken Feed
(Laying Mash, Chick Feed or whatever feed you use. You can even throw in some mealy worms or scratch grains. )
~Water
We should all have access to water, right?
~Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother (optional)
Just helps the fermenting process along! I ferment successfully without it.
Steps:
1- Get all your stuff out, have it all within easy reach, and preferably where you will be keeping the fermented feed.
2- Remember, feed will expand when fermenting, and laying pellets look like a small amount but boy they do expand! So pour in your feed, keep in mind the size of your container.
3-Now that you've got your feed in, take your water and make it 1'' to 3'' above the feed surface. Add a splash of ACV if your adding it in. (Also, a warmer area will ferment faster)
4-Well you've successfully added all the ingredients in, congrats! Now stir them all together, and for the first 3 days, stir every 2-3 hours or as often as you can.
5-You can feed the very next day, even soaking feed overnight has benefits.
A few days into the fermentation (can be earlier) the feed will start to bubble, and should have a sour tangy smell, NOT putrid or rotten. If it is putrid or rotten you'll need to start over. Boy, I love the smell of fermented feed! Make sure to keep the feed covered with 1''-3'' of water. When it get's bubbly it's ready to feed.
6-To feed spoon out from the bottom (so it's fully fermented) a few spoonfulls of feed, for my 10 chickens, 4 being bantams, I need 5-10 wooden spoonfuls, and I refill the feeder 3 times a day or so. Just mess around with it a bit until you figure out the amount. Now, some birds may turn their pointy little beaks up at it, just leave it, once my gals discovered it, they come running when they see me come to put some out! My chicks took longer-I just refused to give them any dry feed, and evenutally they tried it and loved it! Now if they refuse to eat for extended periods of time, try adding a small bit of dry feed in a dish next to it. Mine took almost all day..5+ hours.. chicks...
7-To keep a supply ready, after serving it into your container, add in feed to replace what you just took out, and then cover with water. Stir. Remember to always scoop from the bottom!
So, now you know how to make fermented feed! I hope you try it and leave your comments below! I will try to answer questions as soon as I am able!
wooden or plastic works best, metal is okay as long as you don't leave it in the container.\
~Chicken Feed
(Laying Mash, Chick Feed or whatever feed you use. You can even throw in some mealy worms or scratch grains. )
~Water
We should all have access to water, right?
~Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother (optional)
Just helps the fermenting process along! I ferment successfully without it.
Steps:
1- Get all your stuff out, have it all within easy reach, and preferably where you will be keeping the fermented feed.
2- Remember, feed will expand when fermenting, and laying pellets look like a small amount but boy they do expand! So pour in your feed, keep in mind the size of your container.
3-Now that you've got your feed in, take your water and make it 1'' to 3'' above the feed surface. Add a splash of ACV if your adding it in. (Also, a warmer area will ferment faster)
4-Well you've successfully added all the ingredients in, congrats! Now stir them all together, and for the first 3 days, stir every 2-3 hours or as often as you can.
5-You can feed the very next day, even soaking feed overnight has benefits.
A few days into the fermentation (can be earlier) the feed will start to bubble, and should have a sour tangy smell, NOT putrid or rotten. If it is putrid or rotten you'll need to start over. Boy, I love the smell of fermented feed! Make sure to keep the feed covered with 1''-3'' of water. When it get's bubbly it's ready to feed.
6-To feed spoon out from the bottom (so it's fully fermented) a few spoonfulls of feed, for my 10 chickens, 4 being bantams, I need 5-10 wooden spoonfuls, and I refill the feeder 3 times a day or so. Just mess around with it a bit until you figure out the amount. Now, some birds may turn their pointy little beaks up at it, just leave it, once my gals discovered it, they come running when they see me come to put some out! My chicks took longer-I just refused to give them any dry feed, and evenutally they tried it and loved it! Now if they refuse to eat for extended periods of time, try adding a small bit of dry feed in a dish next to it. Mine took almost all day..5+ hours.. chicks...
I just use the bottom of a 15 chicken feeder.
7-To keep a supply ready, after serving it into your container, add in feed to replace what you just took out, and then cover with water. Stir. Remember to always scoop from the bottom!
 |
| Add in pellets |
 |
| Add in water |
 |
| Stir the feed |
 |
| I leave my spoon in, and shut the lid :) |
One of the girls poking her head in: 'Mom! Are you almost finished with that fermented feed? Jinx is driving me cuckoo!'
I had just set down the fermented feed..and I was flocked! And this is only the 2nd or 3rd day of feeding it!!!
Red Sex Links, Oreo & Hedwig enjoying the Fermented Feed!
.jpg)
Red Sex Links, Oreo and Bramha Mama enjoying Fermented Feed!
Mom! Do you have anymore?
Enjoy the joy of watching your chickens!
Emma @ Virginia Chicken Mix
.jpg)